We just wrapped up an incredible time at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) 2023 conference, where we dug deep into the new, exciting ways tech and AI is changing how we approach higher education.

The Element451 in-booth Engage Academy classroom was the only place to learn actionable strategies to leverage the power of AI in higher ed.

With more than 20 sessions on AI, generative content creation, chatbots, data crunching, and more, we aimed to share insights and tools that are not just interesting but game-changers. We chatted about everything AI — engaging campaigns and enrollment to student success and marketing.

If you attended, thanks for joining in. If you missed it, no worries! Check out the Engage Academy learning session recap and get more AI resources below!

AI 101: Making Sense of Artificial Intelligence

During this session, we provided a straightforward explanation of AI, avoiding technical language. We discussed different types of AI, like rule-based AI and machine learning, and how they are used in the real world.

Attendees learned how AI can benefit schools by making tasks more efficient. You don't need an advanced degree to understand it; the main point is that AI can make processes easier and improve organizational performance.

Learn More About AI →

Unlock Student Success: AI Chatbots 101

In this session, we explored the realm of chatbots and their pivotal role in meaningfully engaging students. We discussed why having a chatbot is crucial and provided a clear roadmap for integrating one into your student engagement strategy.

Attendees gained insights into:

• selecting the appropriate chatbot
• seamless integration
• and how to gauge its impact on student success.

This session empowered individuals with a practical understanding of how AI chatbots can enhance student engagement, equipping them to take immediate steps toward implementing this valuable tool.

See an AI Chatbot in Action →

Make ChatGPT Work for You: Prompting Basics

Next, we dove into the craft of posing better prompts to AI, enabling you to receive more accurate and valuable answers.

We delved into the intricacies of prompt engineering, equipping you with the skills to construct prompts that yield clear and pertinent responses from ChatGPT.

Attendees left with:

• a comprehensive understanding of the mechanics behind effective prompts
• the ability to tailor prompts to suit their unique needs
• confidence to maximize their use of AI

Master ChatGPT Prompting Basics →

Power Emails with AI: Crafting Campaigns with ChatGPT

Speaking of ChatGPT and prompts, we also explored the art of crafting emails that capture attention and drive action. We explored how AI can assist in finding the perfect tone and content to make your emails stand out.

By the end of the session, attendees gained the know-how to leverage ChatGPT to create compelling email marketing campaigns that truly resonate with their audience. They learned to define the right voice, structure emails effectively, and track essential metrics for ongoing refinement.

Up Your AI Game →

Streamline Research: Using AI Tools for Better Outputs

AI tools can supercharge research and productivity. Attendees at this session gained valuable insights into distinguishing between different AI tools and, more importantly, how to harness them for various research and productivity tasks effectively. We explored the capabilities of AI tools such as Bard, Claude, and ChatGPT, providing practical knowledge on how to integrate these technologies into their workflow.

Participants left with a clear understanding of how AI can be a game-changer in accomplishing more in less time, making their teams and departments significantly more efficient and productive.

Unlock the Power of AI →

Get More from AI: Mastering Advanced Prompts

We went beyond the basics to unlock the full potential of ChatGPT through advanced prompting techniques. Attendees dove into the intricacies of advanced prompting, acquiring the skills to use techniques like progressive prompting, megaprompts, and chain of thought.

We focused on optimizing these techniques for comprehensive marketing campaigns, specifically targeting distinct audiences such as parents. By the end of the session, participants walked away equipped with the expertise to harness ChatGPT's capabilities in a nuanced and impactful manner, elevating their marketing strategies and achieving more profound engagement with their target demographics.

Master Advanced ChatGPT Prompts →

Case Study: SEMO’s AI Transformation with Element451

It wasn't all just talk from the Element451 team. We got down to the nitty-gritty, discussing a real-world success story of a partner institution that completely transformed its operations using AI. We delved into Southeast Missouri State University's (SEMO) remarkable AI implementation and extracted invaluable insights that attendees could apply to their own organizations. For example, with the help of Element451 and AI, they reduced application decisioning time from 25 days to two — all without adding additional staff members.

Attendees left with actionable knowledge on how to replicate SEMO's success in their own institutions, armed with the confidence to implement AI solutions to enhance productivity and efficiency, just like SEMO.

Read the Case Study →

Quick Forecasting: Use ChatGPT for Data Crunching

Attendees learned how to use ChatGPT for precise and efficient data analysis, specifically in the context of forecasting student prospects and applications.

Participants were left with the knowledge and skills to leverage ChatGPT effectively, enabling them to generate forecasts that could serve as a crucial foundation for strategic planning and decision-making. This session empowered individuals to transform data into actionable insights, ultimately helping them enhance their strategies to make better student-centered decisions.

Become a ChatGPT Wizard →

Upgrade Your Visuals: AI-Enhanced Image Generation

It's time for marketing to get a facelift. In this session, we dove into ways to enhance marketing with visually striking content generated through AI. Attendees gained practical skills to craft high-quality and captivating images for their marketing campaigns.

We focused on essential AI techniques like:

• upscaling
• vectorizing
• and stylizing images effectively.

By the end of the session, participants left with the capability to give their marketing materials a remarkable facelift, ensuring that their visuals stand out and leave a lasting impression on their audience, whether they're graphic designers or not. This session empowered individuals with the skills to elevate their marketing collateral and create visuals that truly capture attention and engagement.

Discover More Uses for AI →

AI-Boosted Student Support: No More Early Alerts

In one of our most popular sessions, we tackled the concept of shifting from early alerts to proactive student support, all thanks to the capabilities of Generative AI tools. Attendees learned how to identify potential student issues before they even become aware of them, enabling a more proactive approach to assistance.

Participants walked away with a strategic plan for implementing digital-first, proactive student support, ultimately reducing the reliance on human-first early alerts. This session equipped individuals with actionable ways AI chatbots can create a nurturing and supportive environment for students, ensuring that challenges are addressed before they escalate.

Transform Your Student Support with AI →

Supercharge Your CRM with AI: The Future is Now

The future of CRMs is here, and it's all about harnessing the power of AI. Attendees of this session gained insights into implementing AI features to create a more dynamic and effective CRM system. The key takeaway was a clear roadmap for seamlessly integrating AI into their CRM, ensuring that it can handle a wide range of tasks, from content generation to addressing student queries.

This session equipped individuals with the knowledge and strategy to transform their CRM into a comprehensive one-stop-shop for student engagement, enhancing efficiency and providing a more personalized experience for their audience in the realm of higher education. No CRM? No problem.

Check out our guide to the top CRMs for higher education →

Start Revolutionizing Higher Ed Today

From mastering ChatGPT prompt engineering to overcoming recruiting and engagement challenges with AI technology, attendees gained valuable insights to drive success in the ever-evolving higher ed landscape. 

Couldn’t make it to the conference? No worries. Connect with us, and we'll show you how AI-powered strategies can boost your effectiveness and maximize your strategy and initiatives.